1 Ijeab-2016-Jun-31

International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB) Vol-1, Issue-2 , July-Aug- 2016] ISSN: 2456-1878 Therapeutic Survey of Wild Medicinal Flora of Soan River, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Hafsa Bashir , Shiekh Saeed Ahmad* Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. *Corresponding author email id: [email protected] , +92321 5167726 Abstract—Medicinal plants are worth for human diseases. In Pakistan, most of the tribes are still using civilizations for treating syndromes. The current study indigenous flora for treating their ailments. The was conducted to document the unexplored medicinal traditional knowledge about medicinal flora is transferred flora of Soan River, Rawalpindi. Data was collected by from generations to generations and practiced in almost braun-blanquet approach in which quadrats of 1×1 m 2 48% homes[7,8,9]. These medicinal plants in Pakistan are were laid down, GPS coordinates were recorded, local either usually used by hakims or by some herbal people and hakims were interviewed. Total of 35 species industries[10]. Due to over exploitation of medicinal flora belonging to 20 different families were collected. and lack of medicinal uses inventory, it might be possible Medicinal plants were used as carminative, tonic, that the traditional knowledge will be lost in few years decoctation, anti-hysteric & anti-amoebic, astringent, .Deforestation, heavy grazing, wrong method of picking diaphoretic, diuretic and emollient etc. People living medicinal plant and use of medicinal plants for fuel along Soan River are still utilizing medicinal flora. purposes, are some other threats which are responsible for Anthropogenic activities, lack of awareness and over declining population of medicinal plants. exploitation of medicinal flora is posing threat to Keeping in view of importance of therapeutic uses of medicinal plant diversity. The present study will highlight medicinal flora, a study was carried out along Soan River, the therapeutic uses of medicinal flora of Soan River and Rawalpindi. Ahmad et al (2012) identified medicinal flora will be helpful in conserving declining herbal community. of some areas of Soan valley (Khabeki, Khoora, Dape Keywords—Ethano-botanical uses, Herbal medicinal Sharif, Anga, Knotti Garden and Jallar) was threatened uses, Soan Valley, Traditional medicinal uses, due to anthropogenic activities in Salt range, loss of Therapeutic uses. biodiversity and over harvesting of medicinal plant species [11]. The present study was conducted: I. INTRODUCTION • To document the existing indigenous medicinal As the human life started on earth, health issues were flora of Soan river, Rawalpindi used by native began to originate. For dealing with such issues, human people for therapeutic purposes had searched for the remedies. Human civilizations had • To ascertain the importance of medicinal flora utilized the plants growing around them for various by collecting local medicinal species and purposes. Vernacular use of medicinal plant had resulted recording them for future use in the formation of modern medicine in pharmaceutical world [1]. About 50,000 angiosperms are used all over II. MATERIALS AND METHODS the world for medicinal purposes[2,3]. With the 2.1. Study Area: The Soan river lies between development of synthetic drugs, human folks are still Longitude 71º 45’ to 73º35’ and Latitude 32º45’ to 33º showing their interest in developing knowledge about the 55’. This river being the part of Potawar region lies on therapeutic uses of medicinal plants [4].According to left bank of Indus tributary [12]. It originates from WHO, in modern pharmaceutical world, the prescribed Murree Hills, passing through steep slopes enter Chirah. medicines are extracted from synthetic compounds The river crosses Fateh Jung, Pindi Ghab, Talagang, present in medicinal plants [5]. Medicinal plants are Mianwali and finally falls in the Indus River near Kalla preferred over synthetic drug because of their cost Bagh. The total length of river is 274km[13,14,15]. The effectiveness, easy usage and minimum side effects [6]. area was surveyed from Pindi Ghab to Sihala for the In developing countries, where income is very small, collection of indigenous plant samples. more than 80 % people use medicinal plants for curing www.ijeab.com Page | 90 International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB) Vol-1, Issue-2 , July-Aug- 2016] ISSN: 2456-1878 Fig 1: Map of study area (Soan River Rawalpindi-Soan River Sihala) 2.2. Collection of Medicinal flora: The survey was carried between October and November 2015. Data was collected using Braun-Blanquet approach. Quadrats of 1×1 m 2 were laid down. Random sampling was done to get medicinal flora. Total 40 quadrats were laid down and for every quadrat, GPS coordinates were recorded. 35 plant samples were collected. 2.3. Documentation of Data: Hakims, local herb dealers and local residents were consulted on the spot for documenting medicinal flora. Questions were asked in native language for the ease of local residents. 2.4. Data preservation: Plant samples were dried, pressed and preserved using Standard Herbarium technique. 2.5. Binomial nomenclature: Binomial nomenclature was used for assigning names to medicinal flora. 2.6. Data Identification: Data was identified using Flora of Pakistan by Nasir and Ali (1992-2002), Ahmed et al. (2012) and Riffat et al . (2012) [11, 16, 17]. III. RESULTS Total 35 plant samples were collected out of which 31 plant samples have therapeutic uses. These 31 plant species are utilized as medicinal herb in Soan valley by hakims. Table.1: Therapeutic uses of identified plants Sr. Vernacular Plant Name Family Therapeutic Uses No Name Utilized for treating gastrointestinal disorders, bronchitis, 1. Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae Adusa, Bansa asthma, fever and jaundice Seed of plant is applied for as plaster on broken bones. Plant has astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, galactogogue, and emollient properties. Herb is used for stop internal bleeding, 2. Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Chalwaey diarrohea and excessive menstruation. Plant is also used www.ijeab.com Page | 91 International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB) Vol-1, Issue-2 , July-Aug- 2016] ISSN: 2456-1878 for treating snake bite. Plant is applied externally to treat wounds, nose bleeds, vaginal discharges and ulcerated mouths. Roots are grinded and smooth paste is formed to treat menorrhagia, gonorrhoea, eczema and colic. Root juice is applied to treat fevers, urinary troubles and dysentery. Sap of Plant is utilized as an eye wash to cure ophthalmic and convulsions in children. It has stimulating, anti-hysteric & anti-amoebic properties. Decocted Parthenium hysterophorus Gajjar ghas 3. Asteraceae roots are used to cure dysentery L neuralgia and some types of rheumatism Applied as homeostatic, stimulant, astringent and diuretic. Plant is Conyza bonariensis (L.) 4. Asteraceae Paleet used for curing dysentery, Cronq. diarrhoea and haemorrhage Applied as hypoglycemic drug for treating diabetes. Plant has 5. Erigeron annuus L Asteraceae NA diuretic properties and is used for treating digestive disorders. Applied to cure malaria, black 6. Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Bhang water fever, blood poisoning, anthrax and dysentery. Seeds of plant are anti-asthamatic, anti-tussive, diuretic, cardio-tonic & purgative. Decocted leaves are 7. Lepidium apetalum Cruciferae NA applied to cure asthma, cough, nausea, pleurisy & oedema. Mixture of decocted roots with other herbs is used as expectorant. Utilized for curing thirst, fever, ulcers, sores, vomiting, eye inflammation, itching. Plant has 8. Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae Deela , motha anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-emetic & muscle relaxant properties. 9. Cyperus glomeratus L. Cyperaceae Gol ghas Utilized as Anti-inflammatory Plant is grinded and mixed with water to cure diarrhea. Plant has laxative properties, purifies blood 10. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Dodhe for treating bile. Milky vertex, secreted by plants is used for treating pre-mature ejaculations. www.ijeab.com Page | 92 International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB) Vol-1, Issue-2 , July-Aug- 2016] ISSN: 2456-1878 Plant is also used for curing measles. Used as dermatocides, anti- 11. Euphorbia prostrate Cuit Euphorbiaceae Doodi Buit diarrhea and for curing skin disease. Applied for curing white 12. Crotalaria medicaginea Fabaceae Jhojhru discharge, snake bite and babesiosis Applied for treating Cold, cough, 13. Leucas capitata Lamiaceae Goma Buti snake bite, scabies Used as antidepressant antiseptic, stimulant, antiperiodic, diaphoretic, carminative, diuretic, 14. Ocimum basilicum L. Lamiaceae Niazbo demulcent, aromatic, and expectorant Applied to treat measles, fever 15. Lemna minor Lemnacaeae Chetri and help in phagocytosis Malvastrum Used as aphrodisiac, emollient, motufu lau 16. coromendelianum Malvaceae Inflamed sores, & in Dysentery talatala (L.)Garcke Utilized for treating treat gastrointestinal disorders, fever, constipation, constipation, 17. Corchorus capsularis L. Malvaceae Rasi dysentery, liver disorder and dyspepsia Applied for curing gonorrhoea and dysuria, preventing wrinkles, controlling headache, arthritis, Saluyut stomach ache, control blood 18. Corchorus olitorius L. Malvaceae pressure, cholesterol build-up, diabetes and heart disease Used as astringent, treats dysentery diarrhea, skin diseases Khat Kurla 19. Oxalis

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